I Worry Too Much

I Worry Too Much!
I used to say “I worry too much.”
I thought worrying equated to caring. I would worry about what others thought of me, I’d worry about what they thought of my children, I’d worry if someone was mad or sad or indifferent and even about whether my dress was as nice as others I saw at church. That is until I learned the W2W formula.
Fear seized my heart as I heard of men being called up for duty into
the military. My husband was an active reservist and I knew he could
be one of those called. For three days I lived and dreamed in fear and
Imagined what it would be like if he left us and yes, if he were killed.
It was hard to function from day to day. Finally, I realized I must face
my fear head on. Prayerfully I took a notebook and wrote what I would
do if worse came to worse(W2W). The quiet promise of faith in specific ways
as I wrote and I received keys that opened the bars to my self-made prison, and once again I was able to function . – First Aid for Feelings by Patricia Potts
Exactly how do you do W2W?
1. Pray for help and inspiration
2. Write down what you are worrying about. Include any fears associated with it. Here is my W2W from this morning: It has been 3 days since we have heard from our son. He is in Afghanistan in the middle of an ugly war. The last time we heard from him, his unit was under fire. I am worried he will be killed. I am worried that if he is not killed he will come home maimed or brain dead. I am worried that I won’t be able to handle it. I am worried that we won’t hear for days, weeks or months about how he is. This is monopolizing my life!
3. Face your worst fears as if they actually happened.
What if he was killed?—I know that he will be received by Jesus and allowed to learn the remaining lessons he needs. We could do the temple work for him. We could continue to pray for him
What if he was maimed? – This would be very difficult, but I know the Army would offer help. We could fix up the guest room for him. God would give us the strength to handle it. The ward would help.
You get the idea.
4. Do what you can do and remember the serenity prayer:
God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change
The courage to change the things I can
And the wisdom to know the difference.
Whether you are facing addictions, divorce or simply worrying about small things, the next time you find yourself saying, “I am worrying too much,” remember W2W. Most Importantly, remember the comforting comfort of our Savior that we will surely find as we put our trust in Him.

patriciapotts.com Newsletter for July

Patricia’s newsletters are also available on her website: patriciapotts.com
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Turning Darkness to Light

Whether you are having a down day
Or experiencing the darkness of Bipolar or Depression
Patricia Potts is Changing and brightening YOUR world
one step at a time…one idea at a time…
with ideas,experiences, and inspirational stories including her
VOICES OF HOPE video series to help you go from feelings of darkness to feelings of light.

You never need feel alone!

Junly 2009
Table of Contents:
ANNOUNCING NEW TABS!
You are Invited
New Ideas/Blogs/ and more:
Question and Answers:
What People are Saying:

Patriciapotts.com

To be included on our email list simply email me at patripotts@mstarmetro.net
“I love to be shared with others. That’s how I help spread light and hope” – Patricia’s Newsletter 
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A newsletter all about Changing and brightening YOUR world one step at a time…one idea at a
time… through books, recordings, videos and more!
January 10, 2009 Issue #3
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ANNOUNCING:
TWO NEW TABS ON PATRICIAPOTTS.COM !!

QUESTION AND ANSWERS: Here you will find 36 questions commonly asked by those going through discouragement, depression and bipolar disorder. I have invited a panel of experts to address these questions. They are individuals who have experienced their own depressions and found answers. An author, a therapist and a NAMI (National Alliance for Mentally Ill) expert join me as we share hope, knowledge and answers.

MEDICATIONS AND OPTIONAL SUPPLIMENTS:
I am not an expert on medication, however, many have asked if there are supplements they can try before going the route of medication or use with the medication they are presently taking. This tab is dedicated to collecting data you can evaluate on your own with your physician or psychiatrist.

I love to hear from my readers. If you have had experiences negative or positive with medication or suppliments, please send me an email at Patripotts@mstarmetro.net.

I have a question:
One of our readers has a teenage son who is suffering from bipolar. He would like to reach out to another teen who is successfully managing his bipolar illness. Please could you write back at Patripotts@mstarmetro.net

You’re Invited….
I will be performing at the Legacy Retirement Center the afternoon of July 31st. Let me know if you would like to come. Patripotts@mstarmetro.net

New Ideas/Blogs/ and more

I ran across a great slideshow on ENERGY FOODS! Check it out!
http://www.webmd.com/diet/slideshow-energy-mood-boost-diet

What People are Saying
(Feedback from emails etc.)
You truly are an amazing person and one of those success stories that I’m looking for. I hope that my son can be one of those too. – D.

Dear Patricia,
Thanks for putting my hopeful video on your website. It was amazing how I was able to detach from my own words and learn from them. Even though I know my own thoughts and I was completely honest, my perspective on my trials seems less dire, as if I’m someone else, more wise and god-like, saying, “Of course you can make it through this!”
Maybe I should video myself often! – Gwendolyn Larsen
http://www.patriciapotts.com/Vids.html

Dear Patricia,
Thanks for writing your book! I’m sure that you are helping lots of people.
I am very amazed at how you share such embarrassing and personal info openly. That takes lots of confidence! People feel more willing to share their own uncomfortable, but necessary-to-heal, info in such an environment.
Love, Gwendolyn

You are so wonderful doing all these uplifting things and helping so many people. Maybe someday I will be able to help others with what I have learned like you. By the way, you have taught me so much!!! I would love to view your newsletter L.C.

There is a member of our church in Utah who is bipolar and who has a stepson who is bipolar. She knows what depression is all about. She has a very uplifting website and tries to help people with songs, hopeful stories, thoughts, etc. I just thought you might want to check it out. Any light in the storm is helpful when we’re going through these rough times. Her website is: patripotts@mstarmetro.net. I hope that Michael is feeling better. D.
–

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Till next time-
Thanks for spending time with us.
 Patricia

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My Journey from Darkness to Light can be purchased at several locations
in Salt Lake City (total cost with tax is $10.52).
Call first to see if they are open. Some are home businesses:

Potts Enterprises – 888 Walden Hills Drive Murray, Utah (879-3427)
Striking Image Salon – 3636 Wendell Drive South Salt Lake (759-2154)
Shirlaynes Health Food Store – 5578 South Redwood Road (982-0305)
Elite Massage – 560 W 5300 S Murray, UT 84123 (801) 261-7474
Roger Larson – physical therapist- 6040 South Fashion Blvd. 266-7534

If you would like to offer my books on consignment at your place of business please email Patricia at patripotts@mstarmetro.net
You Are Invited to
• Subscribe to all our new youtube presentations. Simply click on the yellow box at the left: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRkt5Rd547M
• Add yourself to my facebook friends. I am having a lot of fun touching basis with old friends there. It’s also fun to just be candid!
• Join a support group. The ones I have enjoyed are 12 step, heart to heart and NAMI (see Referrals tab on my website.) For more info. Write me at patripotts@mstarmetro.net
• Send a story or article to me for our blog “From Darkness to Light”. Email it to patripotts@mstarmetro.net

Check out over 35 blogs (with a great search engine) with helpful topics found at:
https://fromdarknesstolight.wordpress.com/

Sleep, the Unsung Hero

Before I learned that I was bipolar, I didn’t pay much attention to my sleep. Actually, I counted myself lucky when I got up in the middle of the night and was able to squeeze a few more hours out of the day.

Now that I have learned about bipolar and accepted my illness, I understand my need for sleep in order to avoid the depressive episodes that have so fully eclipsed my life in the past. These days I almost always make sure that I get at least 7 hours of sleep each night. If I do wake up early I try to catch a few more hours sometime in the morning.

Recently we went on a cruise. During our stay we made choices about shows and dinner hours that allowed me to get the sleep I needed. In addition to this I continued taking my medication and we had a wonderful time. Sometimes I take sleep for granted but recently I realized that in my case it is an unsung hero!

Small Ideas Making a Big Difference in going from Anxiety to Peace

“My medicine isn’t kicking in like it should. I am cycling from depression to grandiose ideas. This bipolar stinks! Do you have any ideas?” My friend anxiously asked.

As we talked there were three main ideas that came to my mind:
1. Ponder Pages
2. Prayer by Prayer
3. “Leaf”ing negative feelings behind

Ponder pages: Having a place for ideas/goals/should-dos in a notebook or planner or PDA can be invaluable. When ideas about what you should or want to do come (often in a torrent) write them down, committing yourself to prayerfully think about them in a quiet moment (doing laundry, dishes, driving etc.) I have often found that by the time I ponder on it I no longer have the desire to do it, I realize that it isn’t the right time or I have ideas about how it can become a reality.

Prayer by prayer
This is more fully described in my book My Journey from Darkness to Light. Basically I have learned that when I begin to feel overwhelmed it helps to:
A. Stop what I’m doing
B. Pray for help
C. Tell the Lord what I feel I need to/should be doing (I usually look at my planner and name 4-5 most pressing things)
D. I rub my hands together as if I had sand between my palms and the sand represents the pressures I am feeling. In a sense I let the sand (pressures) fall from my palms into the hands of my Savior leaving me with open hands ready to listen to what my Savior wants me to do.
E. Ask to know what HE wants me to do
F. At this point either (1) I have 2-3 ideas come back to me (often my thoughts include simple things like eat, take my meds and one of my 5 ideas) or (2) I don’t have any specific impressions but I am able to return to my list with less pressure and choose more wisely the things I can do that will bring me the greatest peace and happiness

“Leaf”ing negative feelings behind
I have explained this concept through youtube. It can be found on my website http://www.patriciapotts.com/Vids.html . It is also described in my book My Journey from Darkness to Light. This is a form of cognitive therapy that is quick, easy and efficient.

Negative/Pressure Thoughts Feeling Can I know this is totally true? Talk back

The house is a mess Overwhelmed, guilty, fearful No Maybe it isn’t as clean as I like but it’s not a total mess!
She is not answering her phone. She doesn’t want to talk to me. Sad, hurt, guilty No I am mind-reading. Her phone may be having trouble. I can pray and call a mutual friend.

These simple ideas can be the difference between anxiety and peace. May they bless your life like they have mine.

How to Feel Like Life is Rich and Abundant on a Tight Budget

by Gwendolyn Larsen

My husband and I have never had a lot of money since I quit my teaching job when our first baby was born, but we were always comfortable. We live in an area where no one is very well-to-do so it’s easier. As neighbors, we are good examples to each other, often giving each other ideas on how to save money.
Our standard of living increased as my husband’s income increased. My daad also gave us money for various things.
With nine children to raise it was difficult when my husband lost his job of twenty-nine years due to computers taking over his responsibilities. The next job he took was as a shuttle driver. It was amazingly high-paying and enjoyable. This ended when his boss’s van broke down and he couldn’t afford a new one.
For then next few years my husband tried many jobs but they weren’t the right fit. We continue to seek the Lord’s guidance with our finances and we have learned that He always gives us the right kind and amount of trials to keep us seeking Him. His dependable, peaceful guidance is our salvation!

1. Pay tithing. Every Bible-believing person knows that God has promised to open the windows of heaven to us when we return a tenth of all the money he gives us. What time do we need it more than when money is tight? I believe that God blesses us in ways we don’t realize, like the accidents we didn’t have and the appliances and automobiles that didn’t break down.
2. Stay out of debt. There is no way that we could have lived on so little money if we hadn’t waited until we had the money before buying what we wanted. Having to pay interest on debts eats up the money cushion that is so needed when on a tight budget. Besides, debt is bondage and there’s no way you can feel like life’s abundant and rich when in bondage.
3. Know your spouse’s and your own needs to feel abundant. Because we weren’t in debt and we know and trust each other to be wise in spending, we were able to give each other our own money, as little as it was. I discovered the magic of having just a few dollars every week automatically go into a separate savings account for my favorite things. I was amazed at how rich I felt! I can have anything I want if I’m just patient and consistent, I learned.
4. Make every dollar count. My husband did the grocery shopping and is a marvel and stretching our dollars. I shopped at Deseret Industries and was grateful that the things I needed and wanted were there because others gave of their abundance in their time of plenty.
5. Learn how to say “No!” (A) This is a hard one when it comes to children. They try to make you feel guilty, like you’re doing something wrong, and like you don’t love them. I just explained that I knew that God wanted me to be home with them, giving them my time, not money. We gave them jobs to earn a little money and when they wanted more, they found jobs outside our home. At one time, four of our five at home children had regular jobs.
(B) My husband and I were examples of saying “No” to ourselves too, except for those things for which we were willing to save.
6. Confidently give from your heart. I became very good at finding inexpensive, but good-enough gifts. The reason for gifts is to help others feel loved in a fun way. One of my separate savings accounts was for birthdays so I would always be able to work with at least a few dollars. My family and friends all understood and were ok with our financial situation and I think were a little relieved that they didn’t have to come up with fancy gifts either.
7. Express gratitude. In prayer, to each other, in and out of the family, around the table, in phone calls and in e-mails and letters, we tell what is abundant about our lives. At dinnertime, we often tell of inspirational moments of the day, times when we have seen God’s hand in our lives. Many times we tell of how things had worked out financially. Sometimes others will be generous with us. We are always humbly grateful, never pridefully saying “No,” as we feel that God has prompted someone to help us make it through a hard time. A thankful heart is a happy heart.
Gwendolyn now has 2 grandsons to add to her family.